Tips for new father please

[Stunrunthru]

I became a father for the second time on 4 July 2008 and played a league match last night for the first time since 2 July and with no practice in between.

In recent years we have seen fatherhood have an adverse effect on the games of John Higgins, MAtthew Stevens and Mark Williams.

I played the worst I've ever played in a match last night. I still managed a 1-1 draw against a player who I would blow away if any where near my 'B' game let alone 'A' game.

I missed easy ball after easy ball after easy ball but played some great safety.

Has anyone else been in this situation before?

What is the solution other than making time to practice??????

[Kathrin]

Congrats Is it a boy or a girl?

Sleep in another room. I think Higgins did this before he went off to Jersey to win his own tournament

[Stunrunthru]

Thanks Kathrin. It's boy number 2.

My wife actually suggested she will sleep in the spare bedroom with the new arrival.

I'll see if that does the trick

[PaulTheSoave]

First of all, congratulations.

Divorce would be my advice.

What is the solution other than making time to practice??????

[Wity]

What is the solution other than making time to practice??????

Sex before (or preferably instead of ) work, and bunging the kids in bed with your missus whilst you get good nights kip in the kids room on the day before a match then on the day just doss on the setee for 15 hs or so before playing should see you nice and settled.

[CoachGavin]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a little girl last year and up until then i had been steadily getting better each year - mainly through taking my practice more seriously. Since the birth and being a full time dad I have hardly played although i continue to coach. My game has really suffered too. I find it easier to play if you accept that (for the moment) your game might not be as good as before. By taking a slightly more relaxed attitude my results are not too bad. I just accept that I am going to be a bit inconsistant. Also when i do practice i make sure it is quality time and i dont muck about. Hope that helps and congrats again

[Wim]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a little girl last year and up until then i had been steadily getting better each year - mainly through taking my practice more seriously. Since the birth and being a full time dad I have hardly played although i continue to coach. My game has really suffered too. I find it easier to play if you accept that (for the moment) your game might not be as good as before. By taking a slightly more relaxed attitude my results are not too bad. I just accept that I am going to be a bit inconsistant. Also when i do practice i make sure it is quality time and i dont muck about. Hope that helps and congrats again

Congrats everyone I have two girls and my game didn't suffer ...I m just as bad as before

[Stunrunthru]

Thanks for the tips all.

I've just been reading about Phil Taylor's amazing performance in the world matchplay darts last week. I thought he was finished as a player but he's knuckled down and taken the game to a new level.

I intend to practice and the rewards will come I'm sure

[Stunrunthru]

First of all, congratulations.

Divorce would be my advice.

Cheers Soavester - I will discuss with my wife:snooker:

[Anastasia]

CONGRATULATIONS Stunrunthru my twins are born on 4 too but june After that I was practise actively sport not snooker the other . I dont want to scare you but now I dont have a time for eat and sleep what rest for the other .
Hope you find the solution

[archalf1471]

to be honest that is really the end of your snooker life as we know it, or at least the end of your "good" snooker. I have 5 kids and its downhill from now on my friend. Just accept that year by year your game will get steadily worse and you will never return to play great snooker

yours in decline Nick

Give it several years and then what happens is you convince yourself it is not in fact the childrens influence on your life, that has ruined your game but it is in fact your cue. You will then go through about 20 cues normally made by the top cuemakers in the country in about 3 years and find that it matters not one jot!!!...Depression will set in and then you start reading retrospective books about the 70's and 80's in an attempt to recapture your youth and " the good old days", which in fact were not that good after all!!!!!

Oh congratulations by the way!:snooker:

[steedee]

my pool league has a 2 week break over christmas, as we were knocked out of the cup early we had a 4 week break 2 seasons ago.

my daughter was born during this break. prior to this my record for the season was P12 W11 L1. by the end of my first season as a father my record had dropped to P23 W12 L11.

i wasn't sure where my game had gone or if i'd get it back again but after a 2 month break for pre season i was my teams best performer last season and top 10 performer in the league P26 W18 L8. my aim is to cut my L column in half this season.

i think once you get in to a routine againit all comes back. just be patient mate.

and congratulations too.

[totlxtc]

Congratulations!!!
I had my 1st last March and my game died. But after few months came back and ended up 3rd in team. This year played 18 won 16, best season to date.

[Timbaxta]

not being funny or ewt but ur putting snooker before ur family :S it would seem sense if it was ur profesion and it would suply ur family with a better future, but by the sound of things u should play when u can and remember it takes alot of time to bond with your kids, and the first yrs are critical. Start it young!